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February 20 , 2009

In this issue:		Click here for a printable copy of this issue.
-	Merriam Turkey Creek Festival Parade - Call for Grand Marshal Nominations
-	Merriam Announces 2009 Heartland Artist Exhibition

The City of Merriam is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2009 Turkey Creek Festival Grand Marshal. This year’s parade theme, “Celebrate Volunteers -- The Spirit of Community!”, reflects our community’s resolve to maintain the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.

The community is invited to nominate individuals to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2009 TCF parade. In keeping with the parade theme, the selected person will have provided outstanding volunteer service to a group or individual.

Duties of the TCF Parade Grand Marshal include assisting with award selections and riding in the parade on Saturday May 16, 2009.

The Turkey Creek Festival Parade is a highlight of Merriam's largest festival, which annually draws up to 10,000 people.

Nominations should include the individual's name, contact information, a brief statement of why you feel the individual should be the 2009 Grand Marshal, and the nominating individual's name and contact information.

Nominations can be made by mail to City of Merriam, Attn: TCF Parade Committee, 9000 W. 62nd Terrace, Merriam, KS 66202 or emailing cityofmerriam@merriam.org with “TCF Grand Marshal Nomination,” or similar declaration in the subject line.

An individual can be nominated multiple times, but each nomination must come from a different person.
The deadline for Grand Marshal nominations is Friday, March 13, 2009.

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BACKGROUND: The Merriam Turkey Creek Festival is an annual event held the 3rd Saturday in May by the City of Merriam, Kansas. This event is a celebration of Merriam's heritage featuring an arts and crafts show, 5K run/walk, concerts, free kids activities, concessions, parade, and more. For more information about the Turkey Creek Festival or associated events, please contact the Merriam Parks & Recreation Department at (913) 322-5550 or visit www.merriam.org/park.

PHOTO: HEARTLAND ARTIST 2008 BEST OF SHOW

“Jacob” by Ryan Shultz
BEST OF SHOW
2008 Heartland Artist Exhibition

The City of Merriam, Kansas has announced the selection of media to be included in the Heartland Artist Exhibition 2009. The 13th annual 2-D mixed media exhibition will be on display at the Irene B. French Community Center art gallery, 5701 Merriam Drive, from March 8 – 28, 2009.

90 works were selected from among 150 entries. They will be on display and for sale by artists represented from across the United States, including 41 artists from the Kansas City metropolitan area. Media to be exhibited include watercolor, pastel, acrylic, mixed media, and oil. The juror for the exhibition is Reinhild Janzen, professor of Art History, Washburn University.

The public is invited to an opening night reception and prize ceremony to be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 7th. Over $3,000 in cash prizes and a purchase award will be presented during the prize ceremony.

The exhibition is sponsored by The City of Merriam and the Merriam Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Foundation. Gallery hours during the exhibition are: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; and Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 PM.

There is no charge to view the exhibition. For further information call Merriam Parks and Recreation at (913)-322-5550 or visit www.merriam.org/park/Gallery